Risk factors and the incidence of coronary artery disease in young middle-aged Japanese men: results from a 10-year cohort study

Modeling the diagnosis of coronary artery disease by discriminant analysis and logistic regression: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most significant cardiovascular diseases that requires accurate angiography to diagnose. Angiography is an invasive approach involving risks like death, heart attack, and stroke. An appropriate alternative for diagnosis of the disease is to use statistical or data mining methods. The purpose of the study was to predict CAD by using discriminant analysis and compared with the logistic regression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 758 cases admitted to Fatemeh Zahra Teaching Hospital (Sari, Iran) for examination and coronary angiography for evaluation of CAD in 2019. A logistics discriminant, Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) model and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) were fitted for prognosis of CAD with the help of clinical and laboratory information of patients.

RESULTS

Out of the 758 examined cases, 250 (32.98%) cases were non-CAD and 508 (67.22%) were diagnosed with CAD disease. The results indicated that the indices of accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve (AUC) in the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were 78.6, 81.3, 71.3, and 81.9%, respectively. The results obtained by the quadratic discriminant analysis were respectively 64.6, 88.2, 47.9, and 81%. The values of the metrics in K-nearest neighbor method were 74, 77.5, 63.7, and 82%, respectively. Finally, the logistic regression reached 77, 87.6, 55.6, and 82%, respectively for the evaluation metrics.

CONCLUSIONS

The LDA method is superior to the Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) and Logistic Regression (LR) methods in differentiating CAD patients. Therefore, in addition to common non-invasive diagnostic methods, LDA technique is recommended as a predictive model with acceptable accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity for the diagnosis of CAD. However, given that the differences between the models are small, it is recommended to use each model to predict CAD disease.

A comparison of fractional flow reserve determination and coronary angiography results in patients with unstable angina and analysis of related factors

BACKGROUND

Coronary angiography (CAG) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) are currently used to identify the lesions and guide the treatment of unstable angina (UA) patients. This study aims to compare the two methods and investigate factors affecting FFR value.

METHODS

A total of 284 UA patients (296 coronary artery lesions) were enrolled from the Emergency Department of Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2017. CAG and FFR determination were performed in all patients, and the roles of these two methods in guiding the treatment of UA were compared and analyzed. The subjects were divided into FFR ≤0.8 group and FFR >0.8 group. The general data and laboratory findings were compared between these two groups, and the possible influential factors were analyzed. The statistical analysis of t-test or chi square test was done with SPSS 20.0 software.

RESULTS

Of 296 UA lesions, 160 (54.1%) had ≥75% angiographic stenosis and 136 (45.9%) had <75% angiographic stenosis; 168 (56.8%) had an FFR value of ≤0.8 and 128 (43.2%) had an FFR value >0.8. There was no significant difference between these two examination methods (P=0.508, χ2=0.438). Further analysis showed that 43 (26.9%) of the 160 lesions with ≥75% stenosis had an FFR value of >0.8 and did not require PCI; 49 (38.3%) of the 128 lesions with 50-70% stenosis had an FFR value of ≤0.8 and needed PCI; 2 of 8 patients with <50% stenosis had an FFR value of ≤0.8 and needed PCI. If FFR was used as the "gold standard" of PCI, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CAG in guiding PCI for UA were 69.6%, 66.4%, 73.1%, and 62.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis with Logistic regression revealed low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and hypertension were independent risk factors of FFR <0.8 in UA patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CAG and FFR readings could be different. A combination of CAG and FFR may help to achieve more accurate and tailored treatment of UA. The history of hypertension is an independent risk factor for FFR in UA patients, and HDL is an independent protective factor.

Evaluation of the Lipid Concentrations after Switching from Antiretroviral Drug Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate/Emtricitabine to Abacavir Sulfate/Lamivudine in Virologically-suppressed Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Patients

Objective Recently, tenofovir disoproxil fumatate (TDF)-related side effects, such as renal nephrotoxicity and reduction of bone mineral density, have been reported. Consequently, increased switching from fixed-dose tablet TDF and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) to abacavir and lamivudine (ABC/3TC) has occurred. Interestingly, while TDF has a lipid-lowering property, one of the ABC-related side effects is hyperlipidemia. Therefore, such switching could cause lipid elevation. To evaluate the change in lipid levels associated with switching from TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC in virologically-suppressed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Methods This is a retrospective, single-center study. We included the HIV-infected patients whose therapy included a drug switch from TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC between September 2009 and December 2012 at Ryukyu University Hospital. The exclusion criteria were HIV-RNA >40 copies/mL on the switching day, and a documented therapy change to a lipid-lowering agent or any other antiretroviral agents within 3 months before or after switching. We compared the low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels before switching to three months after. Results A total of 18 patients met the inclusion criteria. The LDL, HDL, and TC levels significantly increased three months following the switch (p<0.05), with median (interquartile range) values of 17 (7, 32), 6 (2, 13), and 27 (10, 45) mg/dL, respectively. The TG values did not markedly change. Conclusion Switching from TDF/FTC to ABC/3TC resulted in significantly increased LDL, HDL, and TC levels.

Behavioural Risk Factors in Mid-Life Associated with Successful Ageing, Disability, Dementia and Frailty in Later Life: A Rapid Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet and low levels of physical activity significantly contribute to the burden of illness in developed countries. Whilst the links between specific and multiple risk behaviours and individual chronic conditions are well documented, the impact of these behaviours in mid-life across a range of later life outcomes has yet to be comprehensively assessed. This review aimed to provide an overview of behavioural risk factors in mid-life that are associated with successful ageing and the primary prevention or delay of disability, dementia, frailty and non-communicable chronic conditions.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted to identify cohort studies published in English since 2000 up to Dec 2014. Multivariate analyses and a minimum follow-up of five years were required for inclusion. Two reviewers screened titles, abstracts and papers independently. Studies were assessed for quality. Evidence was synthesised by mid-life behavioural risk for a range of late life outcomes.

FINDINGS

This search located 10,338 individual references, of which 164 are included in this review. Follow-up data ranged from five years to 36 years. Outcomes include dementia, frailty, disability and cardiovascular disease. There is consistent evidence of beneficial associations between mid-life physical activity, healthy ageing and disease outcomes. Across all populations studied there is consistent evidence that mid-life smoking has a detrimental effect on health. Evidence specific to alcohol consumption was mixed. Limited, but supportive, evidence was available relating specifically to mid-life diet, leisure and social activities or health inequalities.

CONCLUSIONS

There is consistent evidence of associations between mid-life behaviours and a range of late life outcomes. The promotion of physical activity, healthy diet and smoking cessation in all mid-life populations should be encouraged for successful ageing and the prevention of disability and chronic disease.

Prevalence and risk factors of premature coronary artery disease in patients undergoing coronary angiography in Kurdistan, Iraq

Background

Premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) seems to increase, particularly in developing countries. Given the lack of such studies in the country, this study examines the prevalence, associated cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary angiographic profile of the disease in Iraq.

Methods

Data was collected from a total of 445 adult patients undergoing coronary angiography at Duhok Heart Center, Kurdistan in a period between March and September 2014. Patients were divided into PCAD (male <45 years and female < 55 years) and mature coronary artery disease (MCAD).

Results

The prevalence of the angiographically documented PCAD was 31 %. The PCAD had higher rates of hyperlipidemia (p = 0.04), positive family history of coronary artery disease (p = 0.002), type A lesions (p = 0.02), single vessel disease (p = 0.01) and medical treatment (p = 0.01) than the MCAD. Logistic regression model indicated that male sex (OR 3.38, C.I 1.96–7.22), smoking (OR 2.08, C.I 1.05–4.12), hypertension (OR 1.58, C.I 1.25–2.03), hyperlipidemia (OR 1.89, C.I 1.17–2.42) and positive family history of coronary artery disease (OR 2.62, C.I 1.38–9.54) were associated with the PCAD. Sensitivity analysis showed highest specificity (94.2 %) and positive predictive value (96.5 %) in patients with coronary stenosis >70 % compared to lesser obstruction.

Conclusions

Premature coronary artery disease is alarming  in the country. Cardiovascular risk factors are clustered among them. But the angiographic profile and therapeutic options of PCAD are close to those reported from previous studies.

Effects of Carbohydrate and Dietary Fiber Intake, Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load on HDL Metabolism in Asian Populations

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a lipoprotein which has anti-atherogenic property by reverse cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to liver. Low HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are associated with the development of coronary artery diseases (CADs). Various epidemiological studies have suggested that the development of CAD increase in individuals with less than 40 mg/dL of HDL-C. In spite of accumulation of evidences which suggest a significant association between low HDL-C and cardiovascular diseases, effects of dietary factors on HDL metabolism remained largely unknown. There may be interracial differences in effects of dietary factors on HDL metabolism. Here we reviewed published articles about effects of carbohydrate and dietary fiber intake, glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL), on HDL-C metabolism, regarding meta-analyses and clinical studies performed in Asian population as important articles. Low carbohydrate intake, GI and GL may be beneficially associated with HDL metabolism. Dietary fiber intake may be favorably associated with HDL metabolism in Asian populations.

Inclusion of Atlantic salmon in the Chinese diet reduces cardiovascular disease risk markers in dyslipidemic adult men

Although the beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on several physiologic functions have been widely reported, information about the effects of oily fish in the Asian diet on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is diminutive. We hypothesize that daily inclusion of oily fish for 8 weeks in the Chinese diet will elevate serum eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels and reduce CVD risk markers in dyslipidemic adult men, comparable with the effects generally observed by inclusion of oily fish in the Western diet. In this 8-week randomized, parallel-arm, food-based intervention study, lunches were prepared with 500 g pork/chicken/beef, typically consumed fish (hairtail and freshwater carp), or oily fish (salmon). Male subjects aged between 35 and 70 years with hyperlipidemia were randomly assigned to eat lunches with pork/chicken/beef (n = 30 subjects at 8 weeks), freshwater fish (n = 30), or oily fish (n = 32). Circulating markers were measured at baseline and at 8 weeks. In the oily fish diet, dietary EPA and DHA levels were significantly increased as compared with other diets; and the n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio was decreased (P < .05). Thus, the oily fish diet significantly elevated serum EPA and DHA concentrations (P < .01) and lowered serum n-6:n-3 ratio at 8 weeks (P < .05). Furthermore, oily fish intake significantly reduced serum levels of triglycerides (P < .05) and interleukin-6 (P < .01) and increased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < .01). In conclusion, daily inclusion of oily fish as part of the Chinese diet for 8 weeks is sufficient to significantly increase the serum content of long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and reduce levels of CVD risk markers in dyslipidemic adult men.

Optimal cutoff value of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol for predicting coronary artery disease in Taiwanese population

The aim of this study was to determine if an optimal cutoff value for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) can be obtained for predicting the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Taiwanese population. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study. Patients identified by cardiac catheterization as having at least 70% stenosis of one major coronary artery and without diabetes were assigned to the case group (n = 184). The control group (n = 516) was composed of healthy individuals with normal blood biochemical values. The multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate linear association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C, or LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and CAD while adjusting for confounders. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were constructed. Individuals with an HDL-C value less than or equal to 60 mg/dL had the significantly highest odds ratio (7.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.70-22.07) after adjusting for LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, and other potential confounders. The areas under the curves were 0.85 and 0.61 for HDL-C and LDL-C, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of HDL-C for predicting the presence of CAD was 46 mg/dL. Sensitivity and specificity using this cutoff value were 71.74% and 81.40%, respectively. Our findings suggest that subjects with lower levels of HDL-C have a much higher risk of CAD than those with higher levels of LDL-C. The optimal cutoff value for HDL-C in predicting the risk of CAD is considered as 46 mg/dL in the Taiwanese population.

Acute coronary syndromes in young patients: presentation, treatment and outcome

BACKGROUND

Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in very young patients have been poorly described. We therefore evaluate ACS in patients aged 35 years and younger.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, 76 hospitals treating ACS in Switzerland enrolled 28,778 patients with ACS between January 1, 1997, and October 1, 2008. ACS definition included ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA).

RESULTS

195 patients (0.7%) were 35 years old or younger. Compared to patients>35 years, these patients were more likely to present with chest pain (91.6% vs. 83.7%; P=0.003) and less likely to have heart failure (Killip class II to IV in 5.2% vs. 23.0%; P<0.001). STEMI was more prevalent in younger than in older patients (73.1% vs. 58.3%; P<0.001). Smoking, family history of CAD, and/or dyslipidemia were important cardiovascular risk factors in young patients (prevalence 77.2%, 55.0%, and 44.0%). The prevalence of overweight among young patients with ACS was high (57.8%). Cocaine abuse was associated with ACS in some young patients. Compared to older patients, young patients were more likely to receive early percutaneous coronary interventions and had better outcome with fewer major adverse cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONS

Young patients with ACS differed from older patients in that the younger often presented with STEMI, received early aggressive treatment, and had favourable outcomes. Primary prevention of smoking, dyslipidemia and overweight should be more aggressively promoted in adolescence.

Prospective studies on the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: a systematic review

Epidemiological studies have extensively evaluated the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The objective of this systematic review was to enumerate the number of original prospective studies that showed a significant association between HDL-C and CVD risk and provided evidence of the consistency of this association across other lipid risk factors. A systematic MEDLINE literature search identified 53 prospective cohort and five nested case-control studies that provided multivariate assessments of the association between HDL-C and CVD risk. Among these 58 prospective studies, 31 studies found a significant inverse association between HDL-C and CVD risk for all CVD outcomes and subpopulations studied, whereas 17 studies found a significant association for some CVD outcomes and/or subpopulations assessed. The ratio of studies that found a significant association out of the total studies identified was similar across all CVD outcomes, although there was less evidence for stroke and atherosclerotic outcomes. Only seven studies tested for the consistency of this association across other lipid risk factors, of which six studies suggested that the association was consistent across other lipid levels. In conclusion, the association between HDL-C and CVD risk is significant and strong, although further evidence may be needed to establish whether this association is consistent across other lipid risk factors. Furthermore, uncertainties remain regarding the mechanism in which HDL-C exerts its effects, suggesting a need for further research focused on new methods for reliable measurement.

Associations between metabolic syndrome and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Japanese general population, findings on overweight and non-overweight individuals. Ibaraki Prefectural Health Study

BACKGROUND

The impact of being overweight, as a component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality was investigated and compared with the predictive value of MetS by 2 different definitions.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 12-year prospective study of 30,774 Japanese men and 60,383 women aged 40-79 years was conducted. The multivariate hazard ratio (HR; 95% confidence interval) of total CVD mortality for overweight subjects with >or=2 additional risk factors with reference to subjects with 0 of 4 MetS components was 1.83 (1.41-2.38) for men and 1.90 (1.45-2.49) for women, and for non-overweight subjects with >or=2 additional risk factors 1.75 (1.38-2.24) and 1.97 (1.52-2.55), respectively. The proportion of excess CVD deaths in the latter group was 1.5-fold higher than that in the former group. Multivariate HRs of coronary heart disease and total CVD mortality for MetS by the modified criteria of the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute were 1.62 (1.31-2.00) and 1.23 (1.09-1.39), respectively, for men and 1.32 (1.05-1.65) and 1.12 (1.00-1.25), respectively, for women. The respective HRs for MetS by the International Diabetic Federation definition did not reach statistical significance, except for coronary heart disease in men.

CONCLUSIONS

Non-overweight individuals with metabolic risk factors, as well as overweight individuals with such factors, should be targeted to reduce the CVD burden in the general population.

Increasing physical fitness does not proportionally decrease circulating C-reactive protein level in men with varying fitness

Several studies have shown that low physical fitness is associated with high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of future cardiovascular events. However, whether increasing physical fitness proportionally decreases the circulating CRP level has not been evaluated. We first evaluated the basic relationship between physical fitness, assessed by running velocity, and circulating CRP level along with cardiovascular risk factors in 1065 healthy middle-aged men. Afterward, we examined the association between annual change in fitness and changes in CRP level in 482 subjects who had the same parameters measured 1 year later without any intervention. In the cross-sectional study, physical fitness was significantly correlated with circulating CRP level (r=0.28, P<.0001). This significance still remained after adjustment for other cardiovascular risks (beta=-.12, P=.0004). In the follow-up study, several variables, including CRP, were significantly improved (CRP geometric mean, from 0.35 to 0.26 mg/L; P<.001). Improvements in fitness did not reach statistical difference (P=.067). Annual change in CRP was significantly correlated with creatinine kinase level 1 year later (r=0.16, P=.004) and with annual changes in some other risks, but not with annual change in fitness. When follow-up subjects were divided into tertiles according to increase in fitness, the greatest reduction in CRP was found in subjects with mildly increased fitness and favorable risk profiles (n=159; CRP geometric mean, from 0.35 to 0.21 mg/L; P<.0001), but not in those with moderately to highly increased fitness (n=113; geometric mean, from 0.36 to 0.28 mg/L; P=.03). In conclusion, although physical fitness was significantly associated with circulating CRP level in a cross-sectional study, increasing fitness did not proportionally decrease circulating CRP level. Improving coincidental risks, relieving intensity of exercise-induced muscle damage, or both, in addition to increasing fitness, might be important to effectively reduce CRP level.

Reduction in ambulance transports during a public awareness campaign for appropriate ambulance use

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to characterize the change in the upward trend in monthly ambulance transports that occurred during a citywide campaign for appropriate ambulance use. This study also investigated whether the number of ambulance transports for individuals with nonserious conditions decreased separately from the decrease in ambulance transports for individuals with serious conditions.

METHODS

A retrospective time series survey was carried out on the number of ambulance transports that occurred per month over a 10-year period (1997-2006). This study focused on individuals transported by ambulance because of illness. Seasonal decomposition was applied to adjust for the seasonal effect on ambulance transport. The shift in the trend during the campaign period (April 2005-December 2006) was examined by means of linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

The number of individuals transported by ambulance decreased during the campaign period. A decrease in the number of ambulance transports was observed for both nonserious and serious conditions. During the campaign period, the number of ambulance transports per month was estimated to have decreased by 530 (approximately 7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -729 to -331) for individuals with nonserious conditions and by 37 (approximately 8%; 95% CI = -53 to -22) for individuals with serious conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

A campaign to educate the public on appropriate ambulance use may reduce ambulance calls for both nonserious and serious conditions.